PSR Monitor

Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Plans are afoot to remember the atomic attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 77 years ago on August 6 and 9. Intrepid PSR Nuclear Weapons Abolition Program interns Kylie Jones and Madeline Berzak have been compiling PSR's calendar of Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration events (in-person and virtual) across 15 states.

Join PSR and others for a global week of action through #CranesForOurFuture!

Between August 5 and 9, organizations, activists, and others will be commemorating the anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki through the #CranesForOurFuture campaign. This important initiative showcases our support for a more peaceful world, beginning with the abolition of nuclear weapons.

U.S. House shovels additional money to military-industrial complex

On July 13, the House of Representatives voted to defeat two amendments to cut the Pentagon budget put forward by Representatives Barbara Lee and Mark Pocan. In so doing, the House approved adding $37 billion to President Biden's astronomical $813 topline military spending request. PSR is appalled by these votes. PSR and the People Over Pentagon coalition supported both amendments because we cannot support thriving communities while subscribing to a "national security" system that robs communities of resources and at the same time puts their very existence at risk.

Chicago Adopts "Back from the Brink" Resolution

On July 20, the Chicago City Council passed a "Back from the Brink" resolution, becoming the 58th U.S. municipality to do so. The others include Baltimore, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Boston. Alderwoman Maria Hadden, representing  Chicago's 49th Ward, credited the 49th Ward's Youth Committee for their work advocating for the resolution.

New From PSR: Gaps in Fracking Chemical Disclosure Rules May Pose Threat to Human Health

PSR has released a report showing that in the 16 leading oil- and gas-producing states, chemical manufacturers are generally not required to disclose what fracking chemicals they use.

PSR Calls for Stronger Particulate Matter Rules

PSR joined 100 other organizations in sending a letter to EPA administrator Michael Regan calling for the agency to quickly set stronger National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter (PM) pollution.

PSR Statement on the Supreme Court Ruling on West Virginia v. EPA

In a 6-3 ruling, the majority sided with fossil fuel interests over public health by undermining the EPA's authority to keep our air clean and our climate safe.

Add PSR to your Amazon account as a charitable organization!

Did you know that you can support PSR while shopping on Amazon.com every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice (PSR).

On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization to receive donations from your future eligible AmazonSmile purchases. Then, Amazon remember your selected charity whenever you shop at smile.amazon.com or with AmazonSmile activated in the Amazon Shopping app, and then every eligible purchase you make through AmazonSmile will result in a donation for your selected charity. AmazonSmile will occasionally contact you about donation amounts disbursed to your chosen charity or about the program. It's that simple.

Upcoming Events

Testifying at CARB Listening Session
Tue. Jul. 26, 5:00 pm PT
Training for health professionals and students to testify before the California Air Resources Board on the state climate plan. Co-organized by San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles PSR chapters. Register

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the growing danger of nuclear war
Wed. Jul. 27, 5:00 pm EDT
Chilmark Library, Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Join PSR's Dr. Ira Helfand as he weighs in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the growing dangers and potential consequences of a nuclear war, and the "Back from the Brink" movement in the United States that aims to abolish nuclear weapons.

NPT Youth Convergence
Jul. 29, 3:00 - 7:00 pm
777 United Nations Plaza, New York City, NY
This event will address both disarmament and climate change, providing opportunities for youth to join together in order to take action. PSR’s Nuclear Weapons Abolition Associate Director Jasmine Owens is a presenter. Register

The War Game with Guest Speaker Dr. Ira Helfand
Fri. Jul. 29, 7:30 pm EDT
MV Film Center, Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard, MA
Screening of the 1965 docudrama depicting a hypothetical nuclear attack on Britain, with guest speaker Dr. Ira Helfand of PSR. Tickets

GBPSR Monthly Meeting
Mon. Aug. 1, 7:00 pm ET
Greater Boston PSR’s monthly meeting – open to all. Please contact Anna Baker at abaker@gbpsr.org for Zoom information.

Lewiston Hiroshima Nagasaki Commemoration
Sat. Aug. 6, 10:00 am
Meet at Rendron Franco Center, 46 Cedar St, Lewiston, ME
Commemoration with speakers and rededication of the "Bernard Lown Peace Bridge" over the Androscoggin River. Co-sponsored by PSR Maine.

Hiroshima Day of Remembrance Demonstration
Sat. Aug. 6, 4:00 - 6:00 pm EDT
Downtown Asheville, NC at the former Vance Memorial
Banners and signs will be displayed in a demonstration designed to remind passers by of the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and imploring them to join us in saying “Never Again.” Sponsored by Western North Carolina PSR.

From Hiroshima to Hope
Sat. Aug. 6, 6:00 - 10:00 pm EDT
Lanterns and commemoration with speakers and activities. Co-sponsored by Washington PSR.

Making the Unthinkable Impossible: A Virtual Rally and Action for Nuclear Disarmament
Sat. Aug. 6 & Tue. Aug. 9th, 9:00 am PT
Virtual rally with speakers, musicians, activists, and atomic bombing survivors. Co-sponsored by SF Bay PSR. Watch live or archived here

Lanterns for Peace
Sun. Aug. 7, 6:30 pm CDT
Tenney Park, Madison, WI – Outside of the John Wall Family Pavilion
Join PSR Wisconsin for this family friendly event to commemorate the lives lost in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings 77 years ago and make sure that such nuclear attacks never again take place.

2022 Hiroshima & Nagasaki Memorial Event
Mon. Aug. 8, 6:00 – 7:15 pm PDT
Japanese American Historical Plaza, NW Naito Pkwy & Couch St, Portland, OR
Join Oregon PSR and community partners for the annual Portland-area memorial to the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Learn more

Vancouver Peace & Justice Fair
Sat. Sep. 10, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm PDT
Esther Short Park, 605 Esther St, Vancouver, WA
Oregon PSR will be tabling — please stop by to learn about our current work and take action for a more healthy, just, and peaceful world.

WPSR's 2022 Health Justice Gala
Sat. Sep. 17, 6:30 pm PDT
Seattle Marriott Waterfront
Join Washington PSR for our 2022 Health Justice Gala on Saturday, September 17 at the in support of our mission to create a healthy, sustainable, just & peaceful world. Tickets

SF Bay PSR 2022 Annual Virtual Gala
Wed. Sep. 21, 6:00 pm PT
Save the Date for San Francisco Bay Area PSR's annual virtual gala, featuring Arsenio Mataka, Senior Advisor of Climate Change and Health Equity, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

More events

Full list of Hiroshima/Nagasaki events

In the news

MidAmerican shouldn't waste money studying small nuclear reactors
Maureen McCue, MD, Iowa PSR, and M.V. Ramana, PhD, Des Moines Register - Jul 24

Under-the-Radar Health Hazards: Gas Stoves
Lisa Doggett, MD, MPH, PSR Texas President, Public Health Watch - Jul 20
Quotes PSR's Zach Williams, MPH and Texas PSR Executive Director Rebecca Bernhardt

Fracking should be kept away from county parks
Barbara Brandom, MD, PSR Climate Ambassador, Tribune-Review - Jul 19

Demand congressional action on clean energy
Mark Vossler, MD & Howard Frumkin, MD, of Washington PSR, Seattle Times - Jul 19

For environmentalists, Sacramento is ground zero in battle over California’s air, coastlines and climate future
Sacramento News & Review - Jul 19
Quotes Marjaneh Moini, MD, PSR board member

Atomic Lies: New York's Bizarre "Nuclear Preparedness" PSA
Berkeley Daily Planet - Jul 17
Quotes Steven Starr, PSR senior scientist

Long-Classified U.S. Estimates of Nuclear War Casualties During the Cold War Regularly Underestimated Deaths and Destruction
National Security Archive - Jul 14
Cites PSR's nuclear famine report

WMD in Ukraine: a planetary near-death experience
PSR Board Member Ira Helfand, MD; PSR member Joseph G. Hodgkin, MD; et al., The Hill - Jul 13

Your kitchen may be leaking a cancer-causing pollutant, researchers warn
BestLife - Jul 13
Cites PSR's gas stoves report

Why Fish May Not Be As Healthy As You Think: The Hidden Dangers of Fish
The Beet - Jul 12
Cites PSR's Healthy Fish fact sheet

Utilities offering us a Trojan horse: Hydrogen-blending is dirty, dangerous, and costly
CommonWealth Magazine - Jul 11
Cites PSR's hydrogen report

City Council asked for $111 million in clean energy grants
KOIN - Jul 10
Mentions Oregon PSR

Senator Nikil Saval Celebrates Creation of Whole-Home Repairs Program with $125 Million in State Budget
PA Senate Democrats Press Release - Jul 8
Mentions PSR Pennsylvania

California Released a Bold Climate Plan, but Critics Say It Will Harm Vulnerable Communities and Undermine Its Goals
Inside Climate News - Jul 5
Quotes Martha Dina Arguello, executive director of PSR-Los Angeles

Coal Ash Housing Betrays Our Core Values
The Local Reporter - Jun 30
Cites PSR's coal ash fact sheet

Unburned natural gas contains 21 toxic air pollutants, study finds
WBUR - Jun 28
Quotes Regina LaRocque, MD, Greater Boston PSR